A mission to evacuate thousands of civilians and militants from the eastern parts of Aleppo has begun as foreign-backed terrorists are facing a resounding defeat on the ground in the strategic northwestern Syrian city.

Reports said a convoy of some two dozen vehicles came out of Aleppo’s al-Amiriyah district and crossed into the government-held Ramussa en route to the remaining militant-held territory in Aleppo Province’s west.

Russia’s Defense ministry also announced that the first bus convoy meant to evacuate terrorists was leaving Aleppo’s east.

The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that efforts had started to pull out some 200 wounded people as part of a ceasefire deal.

Newly-released drone footage showed buses and ambulances moving into the besieged areas of the city.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the evacuation of 5000 militants and their family members from eastern Aleppo has begun, the TASS news agency reported.

An unnamed Russian military official said the evacuations would be carried out through a 21-kilometer-long humanitarian corridor.

Separately, the UN Syria humanitarian advisor said most of the evacuees will go to Idlib Province and others may opt to go to neighboring Turkey, Press TV reported.